First of all, I do not have psoriasis, although I did have it around six years old following a fall in the playground at school, developing on my knees following severe grazing of the skin. This persisted for quite a few years, and was treated with betnovate, eventually clearing up, possibly due to age, although the cream obviously helped control it to some degree.I mention this, so you can get a feel from where my interest in psoriasis lies, having first hand experience of the itching, bleeding and flaking skin.

I have been researching the effects of minor postural changes in relation to the direction of gravity acting upon the fluids in the body since 1994. Mostly directed towards helping people with neurological conditions, ranging from cerebral palsy to spinal cord injury, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease etc. During several pilot studies, many participants have reported huge changes in skin tone, skin temperature and huge obvious circulatory improvements in the skin. I have seen the some of these improvements in people for myself! For many years now, I have been trying to get the medical establishment to take onboard the simple logic of avoiding flat bedrest in favour of a head up incline of five degrees to the horizontal, where the whole bed slopes gently down from head to toe, by elevating the head end of the bed by 6 inches or fifteen centimetres. The important thing to realise here is that we are not talking about raising one half of the bed and having the legs either raised, or level. The whole bed slopes from head to toe.

A simple self study / experiment would be required to identify exactly what changes have occurred as a result of sleeping slightly inclined, instead of flat, and more importantly how long any changes take to develop in a group of people with the same condition.Initially, I contacted several vascular surgeons, winning their support, along with a professor and doctor at Exeter University, who agreed in principle to test my theory on a large group of people with leg ulcer, varicose veins, oedema, gangrene, in order to determine any obvious improvements. One of the vascular surgeons had already witnessed at first hand a massive improvement in one of his patients using the inclined bed method, so was completely convinced by the explanation and method.Varicose veins and leg ulcer would have provided photographically self evident and irrefutable results. This would have provided a rapid move towards making this simple non-invasive therapy. (Inclined Bed Therapy) or I.B.T. available to millions of people suffering needlessly. But as usual all of the promises of help to achieve this goal were dutifully ignored, possibly because of the implications of redundant surgery practices. I had all but given up trying to find a way through the medical brick wall to drive this simple message home, when a lady with possibly the worst case of psoriasis I have seen walked into my home with my son and his girlfriend. I tactfully asked her if she would be interesting in conducting an experiment to see if her psoriasis would improve as a result of I.B.T. And thankfully she has agreed to test my theory experimentally for herself. She also let me take photographs of her arms, hands feet and legs, and as far as I know, tilted her bed on the 19th June 07, although, I have still to verify this with her personally.During many years of research into this fascinating subject of gravity assisted circulation , several cases of psoriasis have been reported to have improved dramatically. One case in point is a regular visitor to my home, who was featured in the Woman’s Realm Magazine, having experience massive improvements in psoriatic arthritis, and to this day, the only visible evidence on her whole body are two small circular patches on her elbows. The lady in question is a former nurse who used to wake up every morning racked with pain in her joints and unable to move her hands for up to 2 hours, immersing them in hot water to get them moving. She had holes in her fingernails and toenails, and is over 60 years young. Several other reports of psoriasis improvements have been noted, including 76 year old going topless on a beach for the first time in her life following huge improvements in her skin.But alas, no amount of anecdotal evidence will embarrass the medical profession into accepting a drug /surgical free method of treating patients with a whole range of medical conditions. I.B.T. has been infuriatingly slow to progress towards becoming mainstream.

Nothing changed whatsoever in her medication regimen, in fact she mentioned having tried everything available in the past and nothing worked. She added this is the first time in many years that I have been able to go out wearing a skirt or 3/4 length trousers. Helen continues to improve steadily but we need at least fifty people showing the same recovery.

Penny mentioned in the Woman’s Realm Magazine is virtually psoriasis free and often has no signs of it ever being there. Occasionally she will develop small areas on elbows, small of back about size of 5 pence coin.

One case is just a spontaneous remissionTwo cases are still a rare coincidenceThree cases may be worth a scientific paper...still far away from any real 'evidence'.

These are the rules, unfortunately, for anyscientific study or clinical research.Then, when appliable -almost impossiblein this case- come randomized controlledtrials. Sometimes we can live without those,like in the smoke and lung cancer connection.Keep on trying.

I intend to deliver 50 cases supported by conclusive before and after photographic evidence. I have Penny, featured in the Womans Realm Magazine whose skin is still clear after all of these years, then Helen, Almost forgot a local 70 year old who has also got clear skin since sleeping inclined, and some pilot study results which show improvements in skin quality and healing, conducted by John and Jean Simkins of the Multiple Sclerosis Resource Centre in Essex.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------Flat bedrest has been tested on many people as a model for microgravity conditions in Spaceflight. Also head down tilt has been tested to induce some of the harmful effects of living in a reduced gravity environment.

Presumably gravity or the lack of it according to my theory should show up in NASA data. A search revealed the following interesting reported skin conditions. Presumably, no astronauts would have psoriasis prior to micro gravity flight conditions, due to the shed skin cells floating around inside the craft. However, it would appear that micro gravity did induce psoriasis and a startling number of other skin related problems, suggesting again that gravity plays a vital roll in health

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------NASA Gives Artificial Gravity A New Spin April 28, 2005Science Daily — NASA will use a new human centrifuge to explore artificial gravity as a way to counter the physiologic effects of extended weightlessness for future space exploration.The new research will begin this summer at the University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB) at Galveston, overseen by NASA's Johnson Space Center (JSC) in Houston. A NASA-provided Short-Radius Centrifuge will attempt to protect normal human test subjects from deconditioning when confined to strict bed rest.

Bed rest can closely imitate some of the detrimental effects of weightlessness on the body. For the first time, researchers will systematically study how artificial gravity may serve as a countermeasure to prolonged simulated weightlessness."The Vision for Space Exploration includes destinations beyond the moon," said Dr. Jeffrey Davis, director of JSC's Space Life Sciences Directorate. "This artificial gravity research is an important step in determining if spacecraft design options should include artificial gravity. The collaboration between NASA, the National Institutes of Health (NIH), UTMB and Wyle Laboratories demonstrates the synergy of government, academic and industry partnerships," he added.For the initial study this summer, 32 test subjects will be placed in a six-degree, head-down, bed-rest position for 21 days to simulate the effects of microgravity on the body.

Half that group will spin once a day on the centrifuge to determine how much protection it provides from the bed-rest deconditioning. The "treatment" subjects will be positioned supine in the centrifuge and spun up to a force equal to 2.5 times Earth's gravity at their feet for an hour and then go back to bed.

"The studies may help us to develop appropriate prescriptions for using a centrifuge to protect crews and to understand the side effects of artificial gravity on people," said Dr. Bill Paloski, NASA principal scientist in JSC's Human Adaptation and Countermeasures Office and principal investigator for the project. "In the past, we have only been able to examine bits and pieces. We've looked at how artificial gravity might be used as a countermeasure for, say, cardiovascular changes or balance disorders. This will allow us to look at the effect of artificial gravity as a countermeasure for the entire body," he added.The research will take place in UTMB's NIH-sponsored General Clinical Research Center. The study supports NASA's Artificial Gravity Biomedical Research Project.

"Physicians and scientists from all over the world will travel to UTMB to study the stresses that spaceflight imposes on cardiovascular function, bone density, neurological activity and other physiological systems," said Dr. Adrian Perachio, executive director of strategic research collaborations at UTMB. "This is an excellent example of collaboration among the academic, federal and private sectors in research that will benefit the health of both astronauts and those of us on Earth," he added.

The centrifuge was built to NASA specifications by Wyle Laboratories in El Segundo,

Indeed, but the mention of psoriasis developing in astronauts together with comparing bed rest to micro gravity in development of skin conditions is relevent to this study seeing as the study is based on the effects of avoiding flat bed rest.

I know it sounds a little Off topic but to me at least it is essential to proving the links.

Click to see slide show of Helen’s latest photographs taken at my home on my birthday

Now it may just be a coincidence that I asked a lady to test inclined bed therapy who had just walked into my home with the worst case of psoriasis I can remember seeing and she agreed to let me take photographs before tilting her bed, followed by more photographs documenting her progress. It may also be a coincidence that Penny Meredith and another much older lady have experienced complete relapses in psoriasis and both have gone topless on a beach.

It may also be a coincidence that Helen has reduced her medication by half and appears to keep improving as the weeks roll by.

It may also be a coincidence that Altonto posted about his psoriasis clearing up on his back in the U.K. forum.

But I ask you to estimate the odds of this happening to Helen given my prediction to her that she should begin to see some incredible changes in her skin over the following months and then delivering the proof to both her and to people reading this.

I keep asking for more photographs before and after and as yet the response has been NIL with regards to photographic evidence.

We need more people on this very important study.

I am truly amazed by Helen’s progress so far. I suspect that people who are living with psoriasis and viewing her improvements will find all sorts of reasons why this can’t possibly be happening to her. But let me assure you, this is happening and it is happening now! So what are you waiting for? Christmas? New Year? Drugs? Ointments? A miracle?

Why not try pure unadulterated logic and science? IBT works and is free!

It was great to see Helen again and get an update on her progress using Inclined Bed Therapy.

Her skin is continuing to improve as predicted and is beyond doubt greatly improved since the last set of photographs.

Helen’s Doctor also has psoriasis and in the past has asked Helen if she finds anything that helps her to let him know. Helen has asked me to go with her to see her doctor and explain what is happening to her so that he will understand why simply lifting the head of the bed up can have such a profound impact on her psoriasis condition.

She will also be having more photographs taken shortly and I will endeavour to provide them for your analysis in due course with Helen’s permission.

Helen is a changed person, it was amazing to see her bubbling with confidence as she twirled in front of my wife and I with a smile wider than the Atlantic Ocean. Her arms and legs, tummy and neckline clearly visible and showing youthful radiant skin instead of the reddened skin that we witnessed in the first group of photographs. But more to the point it now proves beyond any shadow of a doubt that Penny M’s skin and Several others could not have been a spontaneous remission.

Good science is founded on testing a theory by making a prediction based on prior observations. When I met Helen for the first time and saw how bad her skin was, I made a prediction that if she avoided sleeping horizontal her skin should improve greatly. It is one thing making a prediction, it is quite another to go ahead and confirm that the prediction is correct and we have done just that!

Does my theory fit with Psoriasis in the published literature? Well for this to fit we would have to identify whether there are unusual levels of salts in the affected skin of people with psoriasis when compared to people who are not affected by psoriasis. I suspected that someone should have noted salt level differences so set about locating a source in Pubmed. I found this report!

Psoriasis Pubmed

It has been recognised that the sweat (extracellular area) excreted from those affected with psoriasis contains twice the amount of sodium and four times the amount of potassium in comparison to those not affected with psoriasis. 1: Z Hautkr. 1987 Jul 1;62(13):1029-34

Salts according to common sense and my theory would migrate to the lowest parts of our anatomy, again a search provided this evidence!

Foster KG. : J Physiol. 1966 May;184(1):106-191. The sweat composition from the cat's foot pad was examined at various rates of secretion. Sodium pentobarbitone or chloralose anaesthesia were used.2. Cat's pad sweat contains lactate, glucose is almost absent, and the sodium and chloride concentrations increased with increasing sweat rate. In these respects the secretion resembles human eccrine sweat.3. The sodium, chloride, and potassium concentrations are much higher than in human sweat; also the potassium level decreased with increasing rate. Consequently, whereas human sweat is hypotonic with respect to the plasma, cat's pad sweat is slightly hypertonic with respect to the plasma even at low rates of secretion. In contrast to human sweat glands, which produce a slightly acidic secretion containing ammonia, cat's pad sweat glands produce an alkaline secretion containing bicarbonate. Also in contrast to human sweat, lactate levels decreased with increasing sweat rate.PMID: 5922325 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

Andrew

Some thoughts on the reported increased levels of salt in the affected psoriasis skin pose numerous questions as to the origin and location of the salt concentrations.

1. How does salt reach higher concentrations in certain parts of the body or body fluids? The answer is obviously three fold, first of all having high levels of salts at the skin surface is obviously the result of evaporation at the skin surface, just the same as the salt density of saliva and tears differs from the rest of the body fluids. Secondly in Psoriasis the drainage of the salt laden fluids back into the main circulatory system is in some way compromised. Possibly because the increased levels of salt in the affected skin are toxic to the skin cells causing the skin to die or desiccate or to at least become inflamed, and renal function maybe less efficient at removing the salts, in people who have psoriasis, from the body fluids. This could be determined by skin samples from the feet and hands to determine if unusual levels of salts are in these areas. High Salinity over a prolonged period would desiccate the skin and cause more skin to be shed. This is possibly why salt baths, including the Dead Sea have an exfoliating affect on Psoriasis.

2. To increase evaporation will inevitably increase the density of salts in the fluids at the skin surface. This could be why the sun also has an exfoliating affect. Other concentrations at the skin surface due to sunlight exposure should be obvious by the tanning effect that the sun has on the skin.

3. Alcohol consumption has been reported as psoriasis irritant. Alcohol in the blood stream will due to it’s evaporative properties speed up the evaporation at the skin surface and again cause an increase in salinity in the skin and sweat in addition to causing other damage in the body.

4. How is the evaporation at the skins surface reduced? One answer is to remain relatively cool and inactive but this is hardly practical. Ointments on the skin like petroleum jelly can reduce evaporation dramatically and this could well be one of the reasons that topical applications have an affect on psoriasis.

5. Diets relatively low in salt could eventually show a marked reduction in salt at the skin surface.

6. Having a bath in water will inevitably cause some salt to leave the skin, while having a bath in very salty water will probably cause the skin to shed cells more rapidly than water with low salt levels.

7. I have read about the use of cling film wrapped around the body to induce weight loss and to help with skin conditions including burns. Again, this would act the same as topical applications which have lanolin or petroleum bases.

Just thinking aloud at this point hoping for some input and thoughts on this post.

Indeed, but the mention of psoriasis developing in astronauts together with comparing bed rest to micro gravity in development of skin conditions is relevent to this study seeing as the study is based on the effects of avoiding flat bed rest.

I know it sounds a little Off topic but to me at least it is essential to proving the links.

Regards

Andrew

Andrew K Fletcher I salute you.

You show great fortitude and courage against the forces of the establisment majority.

The tyranny of the majority is just as bad as the tyranny of any other self appointed dictator, except they give themselves a thin veneer of respectability which is not genuine but illusory at best and thus they prolong suffering of any and all to satisfy their selfish little egos.

14th December 08Met Helen at a local pub in Paignton, where our son was in a singing competition. Handy because I had the camera with me and asked Helen if I could photograph her obvious skin improvements while using IBT. Helen has agreed also to do a short video interview so that everyone can hear how this simple therapy has changed not only her psoriasis but given Helen a huge confidence boost. Now she feels confident to wear short sleeve tops and ¾ trousers.

Helen continues to improve using Inclined Bed Therapy

If Helens was an isolated case it would be worthy of investigation. But Helen is not the only person with psoriasis to enjoy huge improvements without taking any drugs using this Free Therapy.

Just come back from Helen’s Home from on an unannounced visit to see how she is progressing using IBT. Her arms were reddened and her legs were very inflamed, she added she is itching as before and although her psoriasis has not completely reverted back to when we first met it is well on the way. I have asked her to take some more pictures and to include a newspaper heading in the photographs so a date can be verified for future developments.

At Christmas, I went to visit Helen and noticed her skin was a little worse than a month previous as we were invited to a party. During our visit, I managed to take a look at her bed and found that it had been put flat. I asked why? And she replied; “The bed was put flat after decorating and never got put back”.

I thought at the time, great, here is an opportunity to conduct a crossover to see if indeed it was the bed that had cleared her skin of psoriasis, actually, I knew it was the inclined bed that had helped but thought this was a great way to show how when reverting back to flat bedrest her skin condition would deteriorate. And indeed is exactly what happened. She added, I feel really depressed and spending far too long in bed recently, my skin is inflamed and itching.

I then asked as I left her home how long her bed had been flat. She replied; “About three months”.

This is an excellent result from my point of view and Helen has indicated she is going to return to using Inclined Bed Therapy, which again should prove very interesting.My camera has given up so couldn’t take photographs but Helen will oblige us.

Has anyone continued with Inclined Therapy and if so could you please give us an update?

Helen has now added evening primrose oil, cod liver oil, fish oil and folic acid to her daily regimen. Her skin is now completely clear.

However, she has also put her bed back down flat following decorating and for some reason continues to improve over around 2 months and her skin remains completely clear of Psoriasis. How much of this is down to the sloping bed I cannot say and I am quite puzzled by this, but it is fascinating and thought you would like an update.

Great that she has been experimenting with the angle and sleeping flat.

IKO mentioned cod liver oil for Psoriasis on more than one occasion. Maybe it is this that is maintaining Helens skin now?

Has anyone continued with Inclined Therapy and if so could you please give us an update?

Helen has now added evening primrose oil, cod liver oil, fish oil and folic acid to her daily regimen. Her skin is now completely clear.

However, she has also put her bed back down flat following decorating and for some reason continues to improve over around 2 months and her skin remains completely clear of Psoriasis. How much of this is down to the sloping bed I cannot say and I am quite puzzled by this, but it is fascinating and thought you would like an update.

Great that she has been experimenting with the angle and sleeping flat.

IKO mentioned cod liver oil for Psoriasis on more than one occasion. Maybe it is this that is maintaining Helens skin now?

Helens bed has been flat for 8 months now n total.

Andrew

You say salt removal says improved by IBT.Would blood pressure reduce due to loss of salt?

Many people have reported improvements in both high and low blood pressure. Diet as you are already aware plays an important roll in maintaining blood pressure. Potassium, cod liver oil, hawthorn,

I have had a recent high blood pressure problem of unknown origin, My blood pressure thankfully is rapidly heading back towards more normal readings. People who I know are sleeping on an inclined bed and who have had their blood pressure taken at my home have normal readings, lower than the upper limit but not excessively low. So as you can appreciate it is difficult to determine what is having an effect. My own bed has not been placed horizontal for me to experience the recent improvements in blood pressure.

Wish I could say that a controlled study has been performed to test the therapy for blood pressure bu unfortuantely we are still relying on people to test it. Albeit anecdotal for now, the indications are a marked improvement over flat bedrest. Anecodotal evidence is not as some would suggest equal to no evidence at all.

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